India Blog 3
I’ve heard of the caste system before, I’m sure I read about in school, maybe talked about with a friend. It’s a sort of ranking system in India- labeling people to be of certain ranks within the caste system. Like all ranks you have the high, middle, and lower class. But it was of no consequence to me, I mean, it doesn’t exist in my world, so I never really cared to give a second thought.
Now having seen this system first hand, I can’t help but think, knowing what I know now, how could I ever be the same?
The government regulates and encourages this caste: it’s form of control.
If you’re a high caste Hindu, you’re living large, provided for quite nicely with government benefits and financial aid. Though the moment you openly profess to be a Christian and convert; monetary government aid is stripped away leaving you to your own vices and poverty.
In the caste system there are also the dalits. They are the lowest of the low, the “untouchables.” I had the opportunity to go to a village where the dalits live. I don’t know if I was fully ready for what I encountered. How could I be?
The living conditions were horrendous, these people made homes out of large plastic rice bags, tarp, and sticks. Some might ask, well why don’t they get a job? An education? Something to help them out of such impoverished conditions. But that’s the horror of the caste, once labeled as a “dalit,” the “untouchable” is that they are complexly ostracized from society. Education is not an option, nor will employers hire you. They are caught in this cycle, and even by the miracle that they could seek employment they don’t even have the education or experience to apply for a job. To survive they do what I thought was long dead: hunting and gathering. The dalits will hunt, feeding their homes and then sell what meat is left for money.
When we arrived in their village I was utterly broken. How could a system of ranking subject these people to such living. When we asked Pastor Sam, “Why?” He simply said, “I don’t know. It’s just the way things are.”
But it shouldn’t be.
I was angry, so angry to find out that even these people- the poorest of the poor are not welcomed into some Christian houses of worship because they are the “untouchables”. I’m sure this bereaves the heart of God.
I stood in front of these people- wide eye and curious to these six American women- and preached. The spirit led me to share the sermon on the mount- the beatitudes- and in that moment I felt painfully in adequate. How could I ever relate to their struggles? Their life?
But the words I shared were not my own, they are my Savior Jesus', and He knows them. Knows the words of life his hungry people needed.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs in the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed aer those who mourn for they will be comforted.
Blessed aer the meek for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are those who the peacemakers for they are sons of God.
Blessed are those who are pure of heart for they will see God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for my names sake for there's is the kingdom of heaven."
Before leaving we gave the people 3 cups of rice and lavished them with prayers, a man fall on his knees in front of me; I prayed over him as gave his life to Christ. While getting onto our bus a man from the village ran up to Pastor Sam saying, “Can you we have Bibles, 60 of them?” Not a single person had the word of God in the village, nor do most of them even know how to really read. For the little that they have, they were most hungry for His truth.
When we drove home, Pastor Sam shared that his heart is to build a place of residence for the dalits of this particular village. A place where these people can learn skills, have their children attend school, and be treated with dignity. But of course, he needs the funding, the help, the aid; he doesn’t have the means…yet. My heart broke, how selfish, how consumed am I. I cried during the drive back, repenting, and praying for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done.
I keep asking myself, knowing what I know now,
How can I be the same?
How I can allow for this to be?
How can I just go back to everything that once was?
The answer is: I can’t.
